Eric Black has resigned from his position as senior first-team coach at Southampton for personal reasons.

The club said the 54-year-old Scot had been suffering the effects of back injuries sustained during his playing career, and confirmed he would now take a break from the game.

The club's vice-chairman of football Les Reed said: "Eric Black is a fine coach and a true professional who is popular with the players and staff and always gave 100 per cent to his job.

"Fortunately, his situation is not serious and we hope he will be back in a tracksuit at some point in the future.

"Everyone at Southampton wishes him a speedy recovery. I would also personally like to thank him for his diligent work during his time with the club."

Black joined Saints in the summer of 2016 following the appointment of then boss Claude Puel. He was the subject of a Daily Telegraph undercover story in September of that year but was cleared by his club of any wrongdoing.